For most travelers, Chisinau often seems to be a soviet-looking city – and that is definitely fair enough. It could be explained by the fact that Chisinau was badly damaged in Second World War times, and most buildings were replaced by new, soviet ones. Nowadays, most of these buildings look quite grey and even scary, especially for the locals, but for those who are interested in Communist architecture, they are becoming more and more attractive.

From the 1990s, most of Chisinau’s soviet hotels were becoming private and the owners started expensive reconstructions to get rid of the all ”soviet”, but soon they realized that these ”soviet things” were attracting more and more tourists.

A very nice example of that is the building of Chisinau Hotel.

Chisinau Hotel occupies the central position right at the beginning of the main boulevard, so it is impossible to not see a 5-floors grey-tiled hotel with a communist star right on the top of the building.

Even if you don’t plan to stay in that hotel, I really suggest you walk around it and go inside. Trust me, almost nothing has changed from Soviet times — all these lamps, chairs, doors and elevators! 

I suggest you ask the reception to show you quickly around the upper floors, just to see their corridors and even the rooms inside. You will see soviet curtains, TVs, fridges, carpets… everything around will be soviet. 

A trip back in time, no doubt!